The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten TD has launched the final consultation on a Renewable Heat Incentive for Ireland to incentivise industrial and commercial heat users to switch to greener technologies that produce heat from renewable sources. Inviting the public to provide feedback to his Department on the Design Options for the Scheme, Minister Naughten said: “This support scheme is aimed at incentivising a switch from fossil fuel based heating systems to renewable heating solutions, which will help Ireland meet its energy and climate change obligations, simultaneously. ”The promotion of renewable energy can be a driver of inclusive economic growth, creating jobs and enterprise opportunities in the rural economy as outlined in the Action Plan for Rural Development published earlier this week.
“As a rural based TD, I am fully aware that farmers in the past have explored the potential market opportunities in the bioenergy space, and many have decided not to pursue this avenue until the market was more mature. As a demand side measure, the RHI will aim to give the bioenergy and biomass sector the market in renewable heat production that is needed to encourage farmers to take the next step.
“However, for this intervention to be successful it is critical that supply-side policies must be aligned with the demand-side measure that my Department is developing.”